Some Airports the gun cases, just like golf clubs, skis or any other oversized bag will show up at the baggage claim office or they may have a conveyor specificly for oversized objects.

Originally Posted By nmbsniper1: That's correct, it goes in with the other luggage and comes out the same way when you arrive at your destination. Plane and simple. No pun intended.

<-- Wants to see an Arfcommer standing at the counter peering through a suppressor like it's a telescope.

"Nope, it ain't loaded"...

Originally Posted By eodinert: While you are obligated to declare the firearms (including cans, RDIAS's, RLL's, etc), you are not obligated to educate them as to what things are. Since they are required to inspect to ensure they are unloaded, when I declare my weapons I open the case for them to see. I don't say a word. Usually, at this point, the little girl with the terrified look says "...uh... OK..." and gives me my declaration tag to put inside the case. Usually, they don't seem to know which end the bullets are supposed to come out of, and ask if they are unloaded. As long as each case containing a 'firearm' has the orange firearm inspection tag in it, filled out for the flight you are on, you have fulfilled your obligation.

+ 1 That is what I have done when flying with non-NFA and NFA firearms including my 60 mm mortar.

Thank you for the info in this thread. I just recently completed my first trip with two NFA items and everything went perfectly smooth and I was very well prepared due to the information in the thread.

I traveled from DFW to Las Vegas (Front Sight) for a rifle course and brought a SBR, Suppressor and a 16" AR all in one Starlite case. I had all my forms copied 5 times and separated into different folders for DFW airport, Las Vegas Airport, Front Sight and a copy kept for me in the rifle case and a set in my carry on.

ATF - Took over 30 days on my 5320.20 and when I called to check on it my examiner never returned my calls. I eventually called and asked to talk to a supervisor and I was routed to Dawn Henson. She was very nice and understanding and had me fax my form to her and she approved it and faxed it back to me in less than 30 mins. I was very happy dealing with her.

DFW Terminal C - I self checked and indicated I had 2 bags to check. Before I got to the counter to declare the items I was tapped on the shoulder by a TSA agent and asked if the case had firearms in it. I indicated it did and I was waiting to declare them when it was my turn at the counter, I was then lead to the 'little room' where a TSA agent asked me to unlock the case, step back behind the line on the floor and he visually inspected the contents of the case, asked me to fill out the declaration form and hand it to him to put in the case and then he opened my other bag to verify the location and condition of the ammo in the suit case (I had 200 rounds boxed 5.56 in each case...right at 5lbs each which is AA max per bag). After the visual inspection the TSA agent closed each bag and asked me to re-lock both cases. After that was done, the cases were taken out of view and I didn't see them again until I landed. I was never asked for any ATF paperwork of any kind and I am not even sure the TSA agent knew what he was looking at to be honest. I don't think he even noticed the suppressor in the case.

Las Vegas AMR counter - I self checked again but this time no tap on the shoulder instead the I was called to the counter and I informed the counter agent that I had items to declare. She was very nice and cordial and never asked to see anything, she did ask me to assure her that my rifle was unloaded. I filled out the declaration form, put it in the case and relocked it. When I was done checking in my bag (no ammo left ) I was then instructed to take the rifle case to the TSA agent running the Xray machine near the check-in area (not the one in the normal screening area but a separate roped off one outside the secured area). I was asked to stand by until the case cleared the xray machine. TSA never opened the case but rather screened it, gave me a thumbs up and I proceeded to the normal security screening area. At no time was I ever asked for any ATF paperwork by AMR or TSA.

Overall I felt very prepared and sure of the process and had no major issues at any point coming or going. In DFW I wasn't allowed to zip tie the case shut after I applied the TSA approved locks - I wasn't allowed to touch the case after it was handed to TSA for screening other than to lock the case locks. In Vegas I locked the case with TSA locks and then zip tied the other locking locations and TSA in Vegas had no issues with that.

I am glad I had all the paperwork ready to go because it was obvious in comments made that none of the people involved in the process really knew the specifics but all were content with the way things looked. Nobody weighed the ammo at all but whenever I was asked about how much I had I always replied "5 pounds per checked bag" which is verbatim from the AMR web site (TSA limit is 11lbs per passenger max/AMR says 11lbs max but only 5lbs per checked bag with a 2 bag limit....go figure)

I'm filling out my 5320.20 for SBR and Suppressor right now. couple questions....

Block 5
Reason for transportation of firearms (example: permanent change of address)

I want to get some range time while on vacation.


What exactly meets the criteria for a valid reason? How have others filled this block?

Block 4 (weapon description)
The PDF won't let me fill this block in. Anyone else have this problem?

thanks!

Block 4 I used the form from TittleII and I put in the respective blocks left to right:
BFI - SBR - YES - .223 - XM15ES - bbl length in inches - OA length in inches - SN#
(just use all the exact data from your approved Form 1/4)

Block 5 I put "personal vacation" because I was going to Front Site on vacation

I haven't flown with NFA yet, but I've flown several times with my semi-auto ARs/pistols.

The one and only tip I have to add is that before leaving for the airport I remove the upper receiver of my AR from the lower and set them down facing opposite of each other, remove the slide from glock, etc (perform a partial field strip) before placing them in the locked hard case.

You sail right through the check in process because it's obviously unloaded to even the most brain-dead airline employee. Once the TSA guys have inspected your firearms, the tag is inside your case, and the locks are back on, I place the whole kit and kaboodle inside an oversized duffle bag I purchased at REI. I then place a padlock on the duffle bag and it suddenly becomes MUCH more discreet and just looks like an huge/oversized bag to as opposed to a locked hard case that looks like it holds something valuable.

I worked for a major American Airline for a few years, we never tagged the outside of the case. If we unloaded what was obviously a gun case or a bow case we were told to take it to the baggage office. To pick it up they checked your ID. When I fly, I'm always happy that they check. I dont want some yahoo walking off with my toys!!

Originally Posted By tReznr: I haven't flown with NFA yet, but I've flown several times with my semi-auto ARs/pistols. The one and only tip I have to add is that before leaving for the airport I remove the upper receiver of my AR from the lower and set them down facing opposite of each other, remove the slide from glock, etc (perform a partial field strip) before placing them in the locked hard case. You sail right through the check in process because it's obviously unloaded to even the most brain-dead airline employee. Once the TSA guys have inspected your firearms, the tag is inside your case, and the locks are back on, I place the whole kit and kaboodle inside an oversized duffle bag I purchased at REI. I then place a padlock on the duffle bag and it suddenly becomes MUCH more discreet and just looks like an huge/oversized bag to as opposed to a locked hard case that looks like it holds something valuable.

Great idea here. I think most airlines approve this from what I've been reading. I'm going to fly to Vegas this year and will have to check my offduty gun. I'll be transporting it in this manor if it's acceptable to the airline.

When you land, obtain your luggage ( since I've never declared baggage before ) do you simply grab your gun bag and leave or do they need to fondle your gun again??

I have never traveled with a NFA weapon but I have traveled with a few long guns. Do NOT use a TSA approved locked. Those are able to be opened by the TSA. I don't want to have anyone but me to be able to open the case and that breaks FFA title 49 § 1544.203 Acceptance and screening of checked baggage.
ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ca8e98bee9f342fd78d92cbedeffaf98&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.11&idno=49#49:9.1.3.5.11.3.10.3

(f) Firearms in checked baggage. No aircraft operator may knowingly permit any person to transport in checked baggage: (1) Any loaded firearm(s). (2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless— (i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing before checking the baggage that any firearm carried in the baggage is unloaded; (ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; (iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and (iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the flightcrew compartment,. (3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary. (g) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm. Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing carriage of ammunition on aircraft.

The TSA site has WRONG info. Make sure you look at the FAA's web site.

Just to add, I always mark my case with my name and phone number so they can get a hold of me if there is an issue. Dont put TSA locks on the firearms cases.

The thread is most informative, thank you all for the stories, advise and facts, it makes this BS they make us jump through a great deal more clear.

Had a bitch, english, tell me I couldn't check gun & ammo, even if the ammo wastn't in the case.

Ammo was in the case in magazines, like it always it when I fly. Gov reg is that you CAN carry ammo in the locked case w/ the gun. She said, "you can't put the ammo w/ the gun b/c if you do & someone steals it they could go on a killing spree"

I told her she was wrong, she told me it was airline policy, i told here to show me in writing. She printed it out & right there it said that I can put ammon in the case w/ the gun.

BUT, it also said that AA policy is that ammo in "mags or clips" is not acceptable. Of all the major airlines only AA has this line item. Its bullshit. I could throw a un-taped cardboard box in a loose peice of luggage but I can't keep it in a magazine in a mag holster in a hard sided foam lined locked case.

TSA doesnt' insist the the ammo be in boxes as long as the top round in the mag is covered to something can't hit the primer. So if you have the mag in a mag holster or a velcro pouch or something it is acceptable unless the airline is more stringent about it.

So she rejected me from the flight for that reason.

Lessons learned:
-even though 90% of the time you won't have to unload your mags, always bring boxes w/ you so you can unload your mags in case the agent is a douche, but leave them loaded if you can.

-bring print ouf of TSA guidlines for traveling w/ fireams & the airlines print out of the same so you can point to where it says ammo can be in the case or bag w/ the gun.

-remember that your objective is to get on the flight in time, not educate weapon fearing immature. Its an emotional disorder more than a lack of knowledge & you can't fix stupid, you can only hope to out breed them.